Rating: R for Language
Original Date of Completion: May 2002
Disclaimer: Don't own em, will one day. Don't sue me. This is a work of fiction from my demented little mind.
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Darren McCarty's POV
I smile as I watch the two of them walk up. Neither of them had ever smiled bigger, so it's obvious to me what happened. Kris finally realized how in love with Kirk he really was. I was happy for both of them, but at the same time I got a strange feeling in my gut. I couldn't really explain it. I guess it's worry. No, that's not it. Or maybe it is. I care for both of them more than I could ever express in words. This was a very dangerous situation for them to be in. More so for Kirk than Kris, which is what I think gives me the feeling. I know how badly he loves Kris, and he's never even actually admitted it to me. What worries me is he's not thinking about the problems being with Kris could bring. Kris was straight for 31 years, it can't be expected for him to make an easy transition to being gay. Then there's Julie and the kids, God only knows what could happen there. And then there's the guys. I don't see either of them bursting out and saying "Oh by the way, we're fucking now." That's not their style. But I just don't see a way for it to remain their little secret. The guys may play dumb, but really they're not. Well, except for Dandy, I don't know what his deal is. But he's the gayest guy on the team, I don't see a problem from him. As for the other guys, I don't really know. And I think that's what's doing a number on my stomach.
I try to talk to both of them before practice, but they use every excuse in the world to get away from me, so much so that it really becomes a game. My favorite excuse of the day was Kirk saying "I, uh, gotta help Sean put his pants on." I couldn't possibly let that one go, so I shot back with "Sure you can manage putting them on? We all know how good you are at taking them off." Sean walked in just in time to hear us, so I got a big chuckle out of watching the two of them blush. As much as I played along, pretending I didn't know, I knew they fucked on my pool table. Anyone in a five block radius knew for crying out loud, Sean was pretty damned loud. Anyway though, after that, I decided to let them slide until after practice, where I was prepared to beat the news out of them if I had to. And I was the fighter, so I didn't really worry about my odds.
Practice went horrible. No one seemed to be paying attention to anything but themselves. Scotty got pretty pissed off and berated everyone before sending us all home. The entire time he was yelling I was waiting for his chin to open up and swallow us all. Thankfully, we dodged that bullet, and made our way back to the locker room kicking the shit out of ourselves. As always, Dom found a way to make everyone else the problem, when he let through shots from damn near everyone, even Wallin who hasn't played since like January. No one really paid attention to him anymore, just agreed and went on about their business. He didn't get a chance to say too much today, as one by one everyone cleared out, showered or not. Eventually, it was down to just me, Kris, Kirk and Sean. Well, and Jesse was roaming around somewhere too, most likely giving head to someone in the janitor's closet. This was my perfect opportunity to get the info I deserved as both of their best friends. I sat and plotted for a second, and decided it'd be easier to get it out of Kirk. He could only keep secrets from me for so long, whereas Kris could lie to my face for weeks. Case in point, my last birthday surprise. So Kirk was the easy way to go. And even if he wouldn't tell me voluntarily, I had a few tricks up my sleeve. I stood across the room and waited for Kris to enter the showers. When he did, I walked over to Kirk and sat down next to him.
"You feeling okay today?" I ask, leaning back against the locker.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?" He replies, standing up and slipping his pants on.
I laughed to myself when I realize that he's not going to flat out tell me. He obviously still thinks I have no idea what's going on. Either that, or he's enjoying the game. Either way, I decide to play along.
"I don't know. You just don't seem like yourself," I reply seriously, embellishing the concern in my voice.
"I'm fine Mac, I swear to you," He returns, tying his shoe.
"I don't think you are, Kirk. Just tell me what's wrong,"
"Nothing," He snaps back quickly, rolling his eyes. I give myself a mental pat on the back that my game is working.
"It's Kris isn't it?" I ask, staring him directly in the face.
The color quickly drains from his face. I watch with amusement as his eyes flick back and forth, looking for a way to get away from me. By this time, I'd gotten up and stood in front of him, blocking any possible way for him to get away. I put on my angry face, and keep complete eye contact with Kirk. His jaw dances nervously, and I have to fight with all I got to keep this charade up. I glance over to the showers then back at him. I clench my fists together for added effect.
"He fucking hurt you didn't he? I'll fucking kill him!" I shout, beginning to stomp off toward the shower.
Instantly, Kirk jumps to his feet and grabs my shoulder. The force in which he spins me around causes both of us to go stumbling back against the lockers. Somehow, I manage to trip over a bench and go crashing down on my elbow, cursing out from the sudden shock. Kirk rushes over to me and extends his hand to help me up. I take it, and slowly get to my feet.
"You okay?" He asks worriedly, putting his hand on my elbow.
"I'm fine!" I roar, shaking him off. "Now to take care of business,"
I stomp off toward the shower again, and again Kirk grabs me by the shoulder and spins me back around. We manage to keep our balances this time, and I stare at him with confusion etched across my face.
"What the hell? Why are you protecting him?" I ask, my voice a mixture of anger and confusion. Inside, I'm rolling on the ground laughing. I'm amazed at what a great actor I am.
"Mac. I..." He speaks for a few seconds, then stops and takes a deep breath. "I...Kris...I..."
"Oh that's right," I yell, interrupting. "You're madly in love with him, he found out last night, and then today he realized how in love with you he was, and now you guys are floating in happy land, and decided to try and keep this from me, the one person who should know!" I burst out, playfully pushing him in the shoulder.
I managed to say all of that in one breath. But by the end of it, I was laughing and gasping for air. Kirk stood there frozen like a statue. I had to sit down on the bench and hold my stomach I was laughing so hard. He turned and looked down at me, shocked out of his mind. I reach up with my sleeve and wipe away the tears running down my face. Kirk is still looking at me shocked. He reaches up and wipes his forehead, then sits next to me on the bench.
"How in the fuck?" He asks, still blatantly shocked that I knew.
"How do you think you stupid fuck? Kris told me everything last night. And I'm not stupid, I've known he's in love with you for a long time," I laugh, wiping at my eyes again.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?" He asks, almost whining. "How come I didn't know?"
"Because you're an idiot," Sean interjects, walking into the room with Jesse on his heels.
From the way they're walking so close together, it's blatantly obvious that Sean had been the one in the janitor's closet with Jesse. No matter though, you still couldn't pay Avery enough to admit he was gay. Even though most of us knew already. There's a reason he's always fighting so much. Repressed homosexual frustration, or something like that. Hell if I know, Igor's the smart one on the team.
"I really do hate each and every one of you," Kirk pouts, reaching down and tying his other shoe.
"Aww, poor Kirkie poo," I mock, ruffling his hair. "Maybe Krissy Wissy will make you feel all better,"
"Maybe Krissy Wissy will do what now?" Kris asks, emerging from the shower, fully clothed.
"Take Kirk home and make him feel better that we've been picking on him," Sean explains, leaning against a locker across from us.
A look of horror briefly sweeps across his face. But as his eyes travel from me, to Sean, to Jesse, and ending on Kirk, the look disappears. He continues to eye each of us cautiously as he makes his way over and sits next to Kirk on the bench. The two of them fidget nervously, causing the other three of us in the room to burst into laughter. Kirk and Kris glance at each other, then look at us. Kirk shakes his head and leans back against the locker.
"You guys need help," He states, rolling his eyes.
"Nah, it's you two that need help," Jesse explains, motioning between Kris and Kirk with his fingers.
"Come on guys, just give us one. Just one little kiss," Sean pleads, shaking his index finger at them in a ridiculous "one" gesture.
"Get a life," Kris sighs, putting on his shoes.
"Come on," I whine. "Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,"
And slowly, the chant started. Sean and Wallin quickly joined in, and the three of us hounded them. They both rolled their eyes at us repeatedly, but we refused to stop our chant. They kept glancing at each other, then back at us, then they'd shake their heads. It was really very amusing. After awhile, they began to laugh.
"What the hell is this, kiss cam?" Kirk asks, shaking his head at the three of us.
"We could get a camera if it'd make you more comfortable," I chide, punching him in the leg.
Sean and Jesse continued the kiss chant. Eventually, Kris looked over at me, annoyed, then over at Jesse and Sean. He looked over at Kirk and smiled. The kiss chant ceased immediately as Kris leaned in. He put his hand on Kirk's cheek, and before we knew it they were kissing. I watched in disbelief as it happened. I felt happy for them, but at the same time that feeling in my gut was still there. I tried to banish it from my mind as I joined Jesse and Sean in the teasing with that stupid noise you hear when TV people kiss. The two of them separated, then looked at us.
"Are you happy now?" Kirk asks, rolling his eyes at us again.
"Ecstatically," Sean replies, grabbing his bag from his locker. "But we're out of here. You two have fun, and uh, lay off the pool tables," He jokes, winking at Kirk.
Kirk blushed a deep pink, and immediately turned away from Kris. I felt like saying "Yeah, especially MY pool table" but I let it go since Kirk was already blushing. Sean walked out of the locker room, and Jesse basically pranced behind him. I rolled my eyes and thought to myself 'That's all we need, THOSE two together.' I shook my head, then turned back to my two best friends. They were staring at each other that way that new couples do, giving me perfect opportunity to mock them with the gagging motion. They both turned to me and flipped me off. I stood up from the bench and opened up my locker. I pulled out a towel and slung it over my shoulder.
"You two make me sick. Why don't you get a damned room," I joke, shoving some equipment into my locker.
"Whatever," Kris laughs, standing up and cracking his back. "We're out of here anyway," He said again, pulling Kirk to his feet.
"Good, go," I command, pointing toward the door. "Get your disgusting love out of my sight,"
"See you tomorrow," Kirk laughs, grabbing his bag.
I say goodbye to the two of them, and watch as they leave the locker room. Since I'm all alone, I take the time and strip completely before walking to the shower. I hang my towel, then turn on the water. I wait a few seconds for it to heat, before realizing there probably wasn't any hot water left. With a sigh, I step under the lukewarm stream, and begin to rinse off. Regardless that it's damn near cold, the water succeeds in relieving some tension. I grab the soap and do a quick scrub down of my body. I rinse off, then grab the shampoo. I squirt a glob of it into my hair and massage it in. As I start to rinse if out, I hear footsteps, and someone clear their voice.
"So Malts and Drapes are a couple of fags. Not that I'm really surprised,"
I know I know the voice, but I can't quite pinpoint who it is. I rinse the rest of the shampoo from my hair, then wipe at my eyes. Not thinking, I stay under the showerhead, causing more water to cascade into my eyes. I reach behind me and shut the water off, then wipe at my eyes again. It takes me a second to focus, but I realize it was Sergei who was speaking. I grab my towel and begin to dry off.
"Your linemates are queer. What an interesting position you must be in," He scoffs, standing at the edge of the showers.
"What business is it of yours, Sergei?" I ask, fastening my towel around my waist.
"I don't like fags, so I make it my business,"
"Is that right?" I ask, walking toward him. "Well it's something you're just going to have to deal with now, isn't it?"
"Oh I'll deal with it. Don't you worry about that,"
"Did you just threaten my friends?" I say, stepping right up to his face.
"I think I did. And I think if you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of my way,"
"You think anyone will believe you? More than half of this team hates your guts, you arrogant prick," I speak calmly, pushing past him and walking into the locker room.
He laughed, and turned on his heel to face me. I thought for a brief second about tackling him and beating the living shit right out of him. He knew how pissed I got when people fucked with the two of them. He was there for many a beating I gave people who fucked with them on the ice. And here he stood, making threats against them directly to me. I tried my best to calm my anger, but it continued to bubble beneath the surface. I walked over to my locker and began to get dressed.
"I could give a fuck less if these bunch of over paid, over the hill, talentless bastards liked me. If I choose to fuck with a couple of fags, not a damned one of you could stop me,"
With the finish of his statement, my anger erupted. I charged him, and threw him violently against the wall. I didn't hit him, just grabbed tightly onto his shoulders and held him against the wall.
"I swear to God, Fedorov. You do one fucking thing to either of them and your head will be hanging on my mantle," I speak through gritted teeth, shoving him against the wall again.
I walk back to my locker and pull my shirt on. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, waiting for him to be stupid enough to try and attack me. Smartly, he doesn't move. I pull my jacket on, and sling my bag over my shoulder. I glance back at him, and chuckle as I see him standing against the wall rubbing his head. I shoot a cold glare at him, and prepare to walk out. The second my hand reaches the doorknob, he decides to speak.
"You just made a big mistake, McCarty,"
I chuckle, and turn around to face him. He's trying to look intimidating, but my son has scarier faces. I scratch my chin, and smirk at him. I adjust my bag on my shoulder, and walk over toward him. I step directly to him, so we're facing nose to nose.
"Yeah? Well bring it, you fucking pussy,"
That's the last thing I say to him. I turn and walk out of the locker room, damned pleased with myself. He really doesn't know whom he's fucking with. I'm the most beloved person on this team. It wouldn't take anything more than asking to have Sean, or Fish, or Chelly, or anyone else "accidentally" take him out. Fucking with Kirk and Kris was like fucking with my blood, my family. If I had to, I'd start an all out war on him. He really didn't know what he was dealing with. I didn't think he was stupid enough to really go through with it, not after I'd checked him the way I had. But regardless, I had to warn Kirk and Kris.
I hopped into my truck and fired up the engine. I threw it in gear, and started my drive to Kirk's apartment. As I pulled out of the parking lot, I got that strange feeling in my gut again. It was then that I realized what it was from. It wasn't from the worry of Kris and Kirk together. It was from the worry that something, or someone was going to fuck that up. Call it fatherly instinct, but I guess I knew it was coming. That might not be it, but that explanation sufficed for the time being. I didn't know a whole lot in this situation, but there was one thing I did know. As long as I was around, no one would hurt them. I was prepared to live up to our playoff slogan. "Let 'em see red." That's just what I'd do if I had to. No one fucks with my family.
TBC
© 2002 Triple X
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